LED module

ABSTRACT

An LED module  100  includes LED chips  21, 22  spaced apart from each other, and an LED chip  23  offset from a straight line connecting the LED chips  21  and  22  and located between the LED chips  21, 22  in the direction in which the LED chips  21, 22  are spaced. The module further includes a lead  31  with a bonding portion  31   a  and a mounting terminal surface  31   d , a lead  32  with a bonding portion  32   a  and a mounting terminal surface  32   d , and a lead  33  with a bonding portion  33   a  and a mounting terminal surface  33   d . The mounting terminal surfaces  31   d,    32   d,    33   d  are flush with each other. Light from the LED chips  21, 22, 23  is emitted in the direction in which the mounting terminal surfaces  31   d,    32   d  and  33   d  extend. Thus, light of different colors properly mixed can be emitted from a compact LED module.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an LED module of a so-called side-view type.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional LED module. The LED module 900 illustrated in the figure includes leads 91A and 91B, an LED chip 92, and a case 93 and is configured as a so-called side-view type. The leads 91A and 91B each comprises a plate made of e.g. an alloy of Cu or Ni plated with Ag. The LED chip 92 is mounted on the lead 91A. The LED chip 92 is configured to emit e.g. blue light. The LED chip 92 and the lead 91B are connected to each other with a wire 95. The case 93 is made of e.g. white resin and surrounds the four sides of the LED chip 92. Portions of the leads 91A and 91B that are exposed from the case 93 serve as mounting terminals 91Aa and 91Ba. The space surrounded by the case 93 is filled with light-transmitting resin, not shown. The light-transmitting resin is made of e.g. a transparent resin mixed with a fluorescent substance. The fluorescent substance emits e.g. yellow light when excited by the light emitted from the LED chip 92. The blue light from the LED chip 92 and the yellow light from the fluorescent substance mix with each other, so that white light is emitted from the LED module 900.

One of the means for increasing the application of the LED module 900 is to configure the LED module to emit light of a plurality of colors, instead of a single color. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide a plurality of LED chips 92 that emit light of different wavelengths from each other. However, in the LED module 900 of a side-view type, the height (the dimension in the vertical direction in the figure) is often limited to a certain value. Thus, it is desirable to arrange the LED chips 92 as close to each other as possible. Further, when the LED chips 92 are too far away from each other, light of different colors cannot sufficiently mix with each other when all the LED chips 92 are turned on.

Patent Document: JP-A-2006-253551

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been conceived in view of the foregoing situation. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an LED module that is configured to properly mix light of a plurality of colors for emission and that can be made compact.

Means for Solving the Problems

An LED module provided according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: at least one LED chip; at least one lead including a bonding portion on which the LED chip is mounted and a mounting terminal surface for surface mounting; and a case covering a part of the lead. Light from the LED chip is emitted in the direction in which the mounting terminal surface extends. In an embodiment, the LED module includes a first and a second LED chips spaced apart from each other, and a third LED chip arranged at a position that is offset from a straight line connecting the first and the second LED chips, where the above-mentioned position is between the first LED chip and the second LED chip in a spacing direction in which the first and the second LED chips are spaced apart from each other.

In another embodiment according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an LED module comprises: a first and a second LED chips spaced apart from each other; a third LED chip arranged at a position that is offset from a straight line connecting the first and the second LED chips, the above-mentioned position being between the first LED chip and the second LED chip in a spacing direction in which the first and the second LED chips are spaced apart from each other; a first lead including a first bonding portion on which the first LED chip is mounted and a first mounting terminal surface for surface-mounting; a second lead including a second bonding portion on which the second LED chip is mounted and a second mounting terminal surface for surface-mounting; and a third lead including a third bonding portion on which the third LED chip is mounted and a third mounting terminal surface for surface-mounting. The first through the third mounting terminal surfaces are flush with each other, and light from each of the first through the third LED chips is emitted in a direction in which the first through the third mounting terminal surfaces extend.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the LED module of the first aspect, one of the first and the second LED chips emits blue light, the other one of the first and the second LED chips emits green light, and the third LED chip emits red light.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the LED module of the second aspect further comprises a third wire including an end bonded to the third LED chip and extending across the straight line connecting the first and the second LED chips.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the LED module of the second or third aspect further comprises a first wire including an end bonded to the first LED chip and extending away from the third LED chip in the spacing direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the LED module of any one of the first through fourth aspects, the third lead comprises a detour portion extending in the spacing direction and passing at least one of the first and the second LED chips, where the detour portion is provided between the third bonding portion and the third mounting terminal surface.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the LED module of any one of the first through fifth aspects, the first lead comprises a first wire bonding portion to which another end of the first wire is bonded and a groove positioned between the first bonding portion and the first wire bonding portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the LED module of any one of the first through sixth aspects further comprises a Zener diode arranged opposite to the third LED chip with respect to the first LED chip in the spacing direction, where the Zener diode is connected in series to the first LED chip.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the LED module of any one of the first through seventh aspects further comprises: a first additional wire including an end bonded to the first LED chip; a fourth lead including a fourth wire bonding portion to which another end of the first additional wire is bonded and also including a fourth mounting terminal surface for surface mounting; a second additional wire including an end bonded to the second LED chip; a fifth lead including a fifth wire bonding portion to which another end of the second additional wire is bonded and also including a fifth mounting terminal surface for surface mounting; a third wire including an end bonded to the third LED chip; and a sixth lead including a sixth wire bonding portion to which another end of the third wire is bonded and also including a sixth mounting terminal surface for surface mounting. The first through sixth mounting terminal surfaces are flush with each other.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the LED module of the eighth aspect, the case is provided with a recess, and the first through sixth leads include surfaces opposite to the first through the sixth mounting terminal surfaces, respectively. The recess of the case is configured to expose at least a part of each of the opposite surfaces of of the first through the sixth leads, as viewed from a side opposite to a direction in which the first through the sixth mounting terminal surfaces face.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the LED module of any one of the first through ninth aspects, the case is provided with a reflector surrounding the first through third LED chips.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the LED module of the tenth aspect, the reflector surrounds a region filled with light-transmitting resin covering the first through third LED chips.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of LED module according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the example of the LED module according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the example of the LED module according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the example of the LED module according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a groove of the LED module according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of an example of conventional LED module.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-6 show an example of LED module according to the present invention. The LED module 100 of this embodiment includes a case 10, LED chips 21, 22 and 23, leads 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, Zener diodes 41 and 42, wires 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57, and light-transmitting resin 60. The LED module 100 is configured as a side-view type that emits light mainly in the direction z, and its dimensions are e.g. about 6.9 mm in the direction x, about 2.15 mm in the direction y and about 2.2 mm in the direction z. The LED module 100 is made by insert molding. Note that illustration of the light-transmitting resin 60 is omitted in FIG. 1.

The case 100 provides the base of the LED module 100 and is made of e.g. white resin. The case has a reflector 11 and a recess 12. The reflector 11 surrounds the LED chips 21, 22 and 23. Light emitted from the LED chips 21, 22 and 23 in the direction x and the direction y is reflected by the reflector to travel in the direction z. The region surrounded by the reflector 11 has dimensions of about 5.4 mm in the direction x and about 1.6 mm in the direction y. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the recess 12 is provided on a side of the case 10 opposite to the light-emitting side in the direction y. The recess 12 has a uniform cross section as viewed in the direction z. The cross sectional shape is generally a flat trapezoid, elongated in the direction x.

The LED chips 21, 22 and 23 are the light source of the LED module 100. The LED chip 21 corresponds to the first LED chip defined in the present invention. The LED chip 21 has a laminated structure made up of an n-type semiconductor layer mainly composed of e.g. GaN, an active layer and a p-type semiconductor layer and emits blue light. The LED chip 22 corresponds to the second LED chip defined in the present invention. The LED chip 22 has a laminated structure made up of an n-type semiconductor layer mainly composed of e.g. GaN, an active layer and a p-type semiconductor layer and emits green light. The LED chip 23 corresponds to the third LED chip defined in the present invention. The LED chip 23 has a laminated structure made up of an n-type semiconductor layer mainly composed of e.g. Al, GaAs or GaAsP, an active layer and a p-type semiconductor layer and emits red light. In this embodiment, the LED chips 21 and 22 are configured as a two-wire type, whereas the LED chip 23 is configured as a single-wire type.

The Zener diodes 41 and 42 prevent application of excessive reverse voltage to the LED chips 21 and 22, respectively, and allow current to flow in a reverse direction only when an excessive reverse voltage above a certain value is applied.

The leads 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 serve to support the LED chips 21, 22, 23 and supply electric power. Each of the leads may comprise a plate made of e.g. an alloy of Cu or Ni plated with Ag. Each lead 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is partially covered by the case 10, and the remaining portion is exposed out of the case 10.

The lead 31 corresponds to the first lead defined in the present invention and includes a bonding portion 31 a, a wire bonding portion 31 b, a groove 31 c and a mounting terminal surface 31 d. As shown in FIG. 1, the bonding portion 31 a, the wire bonding portion 31 b and the groove 31 c are arranged in the region surrounded by the reflector 11 at a position shifted slightly to the left from the center in the direction x.

To the bonding portion 31 a is die-bonded the LED chip 21. The wire bonding portion 31 b is on the left side of the bonding portion 31 a in the direction x. To this wire bonding portion are bonded an end of the wire 51 and an end of the wire 56. The other end of the wire 51 is bonded to the LED chip 21. The other end of the wire 56 is bonded to the Zener diode 41. The groove 31 c is positioned between the bonding portion 31 a and the wire bonding portion 31 b. The groove 31 c extends in the direction y as shown in FIG. 1 and has e.g. a triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 6.

Of the lead 31, the portion projecting from the case 10 downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is bent to extend in the direction z, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Of this portion, the surface that faces downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is the mounting terminal surface 31 d. The bent portion extends to overlap the recess 12 of the case 10 in the direction z.

The lead 32 corresponds to the second lead defined in the present invention and includes a bonding portion 32 a, a wire bonding portion 32 b, a groove 32 c and a mounting terminal surface 32 d. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the lead 32 is symmetrical with the lead 31 with respect to an axis extending in the direction y. The bonding portion 32 a, the wire bonding portion 32 b and the groove 32 c are arranged in the region surrounded by the reflector 11 at a position shifted slightly to the right from the center in the direction x.

To the bonding portion 32 a is die-bonded the LED chip 22. The wire bonding portion 32 b is on the right side of the bonding portion 32 a in the direction x. To this wire bonding portion are bonded an end of the wire 52 and an end of the wire 57. The other end of the wire 52 is bonded to the LED chip 22. The other end of the wire 57 is bonded to the Zener diode 42. The groove 32 c is positioned between the bonding portion 32 a and the wire bonding portion 32 b. The shape and size of the groove 32 c are the same as those of the groove 31 c.

Of the lead 32, the portion projecting from the case 10 downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is bent to extend in the direction z, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Of this portion, the surface that faces downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is the mounting terminal surface 32 d. The bent portion extends to overlap the recess 12 of the case 10 in the direction z.

The lead 33 corresponds to the third lead defined in the present invention and includes a bonding portion 33 a, a detour portion 33 e and a mounting terminal surface 33 d. As shown in FIG. 1, the bonding portion 33 a is arranged at the center in the direction x in the region surrounded by the reflector 11. Also, the bonding portion 33 a is at an upper position relative to the bonding portions 31 a and 32 a in the direction y in FIG. 1. To the bonding portion 33 a is bonded the LED chip 23 via a conductive material.

The detour portion 33 e includes a portion extending in the direction x from the bonding portion 33 a to both sides, and portions extending in the direction y. The two ends of the detour portion 33 e, which are spaced apart from each other in the direction x, are on the outer side of the corresponding two ends of the reflector 11 that are spaced apart in the direction x. Of the lead 33, two portions extending from the detour portion 33 e project downward from the case 10 in the direction y in the figure. These portions are bent to extend in the direction as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Of these portions, the surfaces that face downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 are the mounting terminal surfaces 33 d. Thus, the LED module of this embodiment has two mounting terminal surfaces 33 d that are spaced apart from each other in the direction x. As shown in FIG. 3, both of the bent portions project from the case 10 in the direction x, as viewed in the direction z.

The lead 34 corresponds to the fourth lead of the present invention and includes a bonding portion 34 a, a wire bonding portion 34 b, and a mounting terminal surface 34 d. As shown in FIG. 1, the bonding portion 34 a and the wire bonding portion 34 b are arranged in the region surrounded by the reflector 11 at a position shifted further to the left in the figure than the lead 31 in the direction x.

To the bonding portion 34 a is bonded the Zener diode 41 via a conductive material. The wire bonding portion 34 b is on the right side of the bonding portion 34 a in the direction x and arranged side by side with the wire bonding portion 31 b of the lead 31 in the direction y. To the wire bonding portion 34 b is bonded an end of the wire 54. The other end of the wire 54 is bonded to the LED chip 21.

Of the lead 34, the portion projecting from the case 10 downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is bent to extend in the direction z, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Of this portion, the surface that faces downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is the mounting terminal surface 34 d. The bent portion extends to overlap the recess 12 of the case 10 in the direction z.

The lead 35 corresponds to the fifth lead defined in the present invention and includes a bonding portion 35 a, a wire bonding portion 35 b, and a mounting terminal surface 35 d. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the lead 35 is symmetrical with the lead 34 with respect to an axis extending in the direction y. The bonding portion 35 a and the wire bonding portion 35 b are arranged in the region surrounded by the reflector 11 at a position shifted further to the right in the figure than the lead 32 in the direction x.

To the bonding portion 35 a is bonded the Zener diode 42 via a conductive material. The wire bonding portion 35 b is on the left side of the bonding portion 35 a in the direction x and arranged side by side with the wire bonding portion 32 b of the lead 32 in the direction y. To the wire bonding portion 35 b is bonded an end of the wire 55. The other end of the wire 55 is bonded to the LED chip 22.

Of the lead 35, the portion projecting from the case 10 downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is bent to extend in the direction z, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Of this portion, the surface that faces downward in the direction y in FIG. 1 is the mounting terminal surface 35 d. The bent portion extends to overlap the recess 12 of the case 10 in the direction z.

The lead 36 corresponds to the sixth lead defined in the present invention, and includes a wire bonding portion 36 b and a mounting terminal surface 36 d. As shown in FIG. 1, the bonding portion 36 b is arranged at the center in the direction x in the region surrounded by the reflector 11. Also, the bonding portion 36 b is at a lower position relative to the bonding portion 33 a in the direction y in FIG. 1. To the wire bonding portion 36 a is bonded an end of wire 53. The other end of the wire 53 is bonded to the LED chip 33.

The light-transmitting resin 60 fills the region surrounded by the reflector 11 and covers the LED chips 21, 22, 23 and the Zener diodes 41, 42. The light-transmitting resin 60 is made of e.g. transparent silicone resin.

Advantages of the LED module 100 are described below.

In this embodiment, the LED chips 21, 22 and 23 are arranged at positions corresponding to three vertexes of a triangle. This arrangement allows the three LED chips 21, 22, 23 to be positioned relatively close to each other, as compared with e.g. the case where the LED chips are arranged in a line. Thus, lights emitted from the respective LED chips can properly mix with each other, so that light emission of a bright white color is obtained. Arranging the LED chip 23 that emits red light at the center in the direction x promotes mixing of red light, blue light and green light. Moreover, the LED module 100 can be made compact by arranging the LED chips 21, 22, 23 close to each other.

The provision of the mounting terminal surfaces 31 d, 32 d, 33 d, 34 d, 35 d, 36 d allows individual operation of the LED chips 21, 22, 23.

The wire 53 extends from the LED chip 23 in the direction y beyond a line connecting the LED chips 21 and 22 to each other. Thus provided wire 53 hardly hinders the reduction of the distance between the LED chips 21 and 22. This is advantageous for promoting the above-described mixing of light and size reduction of the LED module 100.

The wires 51, 52, 54 and 55 are configured to extend away from the LED chip 23 in the direction x. Thus, though the LED chips 21 and 22 are of a two-wire type, no wires 51, 52, 54, 55 exist in the region surrounded by the LED chips 21, 22 and 23. This allows reduction of the distance among the LED chips 21, 22, 23. Employing a single-wire type LED chip as the LED chip 23 reduces the number of the wires existing in the region surrounded by the LED chip 21, 22 and 23.

The bonding portion 33 a is arranged on the opposite side from a circuit board upon which the module is mounted. The mounting terminal surfaces 33 d are spaced apart from the bonding portion in the direction y. In spite of this, the detour portion 33 e connects the bonding portion 33 a and each of the mounting terminal surfaces 33 d properly, and substantially with no hindrance to possible arrangements of the leads 31, 32, 34, 35, 36. Advantageously, the LED module 100 can be made relatively compact in spite of the provision of a large number of mounting terminal surfaces 31 d, 32 d, 33 d, 34 d, 35 d and 36 d.

As shown in FIG. 6, the groove 31 c functions to stop the flow of the bonding material for die-bonding the LED chip 21. Thus, the bonding material is prevented from flowing from the bonding portion 31 a to the wire bonding portion 31 b, which allows the bonding portion 31 a and the wire bonding portion 31 b to be arranged closer to each other. This is desirable for the size reduction of the LED module 100. The groove 32 c similarly contributes to the size reduction of the LED module 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, owing to the provision of the recess 12, the respective reverse surfaces of the mounting terminal surfaces 31 d, 32 d, 34 d, 35 d, 36 d of the leads 31, 32, 34, 35, 36 are exposed. For instance, after the LED module 100 is mounted on a circuit board or the like, some of the LED chips 21, 22, 23 may be found to be inoperable due to poor soldering. Even in such a case, since the above-described reverse surfaces are exposed, it is possible to conduct an operation for coping with the fault, such as applying a soldering iron to the poor joint portion. The projection of the reverse surfaces of the mounting terminal surfaces 33 d of the lead 33 from the case 10 to each side in the direction x also allows a similar operation to be conducted.

The LED module according to the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment. The specific structure of each part of the LED module according to the present invention can be varied in design in many ways.

Although the provision of the LED chip 21 that emits blue light, the LED chip 22 that emits green light and the LED chip 23 that emits red light is desirable in order for the LED module 100 to emit white light, the present invention is not limited to this, and LED chips that emit light of different wavelengths can be employed. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A light-emitting device comprising: a support member; a first lead provided on the support member; a second lead provided on the support member and spaced apart from the first lead; a third lead provided on the support member and and spaced apart from the first lead and the second lead; a first light-emitting element disposed on the first lead; a second light-emitting element disposed on the second lead; a third light-emitting element disposed on the third lead; and a reflector surrounding the first lead, the second lead and the third lead as seen in a first direction perpendicular to the support member, wherein the first lead is formed with a first groove located in a region surrounded by the reflector as seen in the first direction.
 2. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a first wire connecting the first lead and the first light-emitting element, wherein the first wire overlaps with the first groove as seen in the first direction.
 3. The light-emitting device according to claim 2, further comprising a second wire connecting the second lead and the second light-emitting element, wherein the second lead is formed with a second groove, and the second wire overlaps with the second groove as seen in the first direction.
 4. The light-emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the first groove and the second groove overlap with each other as seen in a second direction along which the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are aligned.
 5. The light-emitting device according to claim 3, wherein each of the first groove and the second groove is elongated in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.
 6. The light-emitting device according to claim 5, wherein the first lead has a first edge aligned with the first groove along the third direction, and the second lead has a second edge aligned with the second groove along the third direction.
 7. The light-emitting device according to claim 4, wherein the reflector has a rectangular shape elongated in the second direction as seen in the first direction.
 8. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a first edge, and each of the first lead, the second lead and the third lead has a portion overlapping with the first edge of the support member as seen in the first direction.
 9. The light-emitting device according to claim 8, wherein the third light-emitting element is located farther from the first edge of the support member than are the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.
 10. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element overlap with each other as seen in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the third light-emitting element is located between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element as seen in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.
 11. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the third lead is configured to flank the first lead and the second lead in a second direction in which the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are aligned with each other.
 12. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the support member and the reflector are integrally formed of a white resin material.
 13. The light-emitting device according to claim 12, wherein the reflector includes an inclined surface that is elongated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and that faces the third light-emitting element, and the third lead includes a straight portion that is elongated in the second direction, and the inclined surface of the reflector overlaps with the straight portion of the third lead as seen in the first direction.
 14. The light-emitting device according to claim 13, wherein a length of the straight portion of the third lead measured in the second direction is greater than a distance between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element measured in the second direction.
 15. The light-emitting device according to claim 1 further comprising a first Zener diode and a second Zener diode, wherein the first Zener diode is connected to the first light-emitting element in series, and the second Zener diode is connected to the second light-emitting element in series, and a distance between the first Zener diode and the second Zener diode measured in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is greater than a distance between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element measured in the second direction.
 16. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light-transmitting resin filled in a space surrounded by the reflector.
 17. The light-emitting device according to claim 16, wherein the light-transmitting resin has a flat light-emitting surface.
 18. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the first lead includes: a bonding portion on which the first light-emitting element is disposed; and an extension that extends from the bonding portion, the extension being formed with a slit elongated in a longitudinal direction of the extension.
 19. The light-emitting device according to claim 18, wherein the slit has a first end and a second end that is opposite to the first end, and the first end is located in the region surrounded by the reflector and near the first light-emitting element.
 20. The light-emitting device according to claim 19, wherein the extension of the first lead is bent at a location between the first end and the second end of the slit. 